The Blade Servant Emerges

Watching the two figures within the sealing formation outside the hall, and hearing their conversation, the Grand Xia Emperor, Lu Dongbin, and the seven other Pure Yang True Immortals couldn't help but laugh.

“This one called Zhuxiang is fearless because she is ignorant,” Lu Dongbin said with a shake of his head. “In truth, those of us observing the Immortal Fortunes Assembly have already formed a clear picture of the strongest among these ninety-six. It’s the ninety-six themselves who lack an accurate understanding of each other’s power.”

Indeed.

Zhuxiang had only been warned by her Red Lotus Sect’s Celestial Immortal Patriarch: “Ji Ning is one of the most troublesome at this Assembly—you must give your all and not be careless in the slightest.”

But Zhuxiang had never actually fought Ji Ning. How could she truly grasp his ferocity?

The outside observers could watch every bout unfold.

The Wanxiang Adepts within Brightmoon Water-Mountain, however, were like the proverbial blind men touching an elephant—even Ji Ning had only crossed hands with a dozen or so of the other ninety-five.

“The first round holds few surprises,” the Grand Xia Emperor nodded. “I separated the strongest among them, ensuring that powerhouses wouldn’t clash early on. Ji Ning is indeed far stronger than Zhuxiang.”

“Senior apprentice-brother, I think you’d best prepare those Immortal-ranked treasures now. The top forty-eight each need one,” Di Hao said with a chuckle. “By the way, are those forty-eight Immortal-ranked treasures low-grade or mid-grade?”

“Low-grade, naturally!” the Grand Xia Emperor laughed.

“I knew it,” Di Hao nodded.

“Low-grade Immortal-ranked? You actually offer that? The Immortal-ranked treasures I carry on my person to bestow upon others are at worst high-grade!” Lu Dongbin glanced at the Grand Xia Emperor, who could only sigh helplessly: “I have so many subordinates to command, and I must govern an entire major world. It’s not easy, you know. I can’t just throw Immortal-ranked treasures around. Not everyone can be as carefree as you, Lu Dongbin.”

When Ji Ning erupted, his six Immortal-ranked flying swords drove the Red Lotus Sect’s Zhuxiang into a complete rout. She had no way to fight back.

“I concede!” Zhuxiang cried out loudly, then gave Ji Ning a hard stare as though searing his image into her memory. This defeat had been utterly humiliating…

“Mm, one Immortal-ranked treasure in hand.” Ji Ning swiftly returned to normal, then left the sealing formation with an easy grace. He walked back into the great hall and took his place behind Prince Yan, drawing close to his cousin-sister and Yu Wei.

Soon, the forty-eight bouts all concluded.

The first-round matches had been relatively easy across the board—the Grand Xia Emperor had paired the strong with the weak, striving to select the most powerful.

“You forty-eight who won the first round shall each receive an Immortal-ranked treasure. I now bestow them upon you.” Seated high above in the great hall, the Grand Xia Emperor waved his hand, and instantly a host of treasures radiating formidable auras flew forth: ropes, flying swords, bells, plates, nails, long shuttles, fine needles, great hammers, seals, long staffs, silk ribbons, dusters, colored robes, grains of sand…

Forty-eight Immortal-ranked treasures flew toward each recipient.

The flying sword that flew toward Ji Ning was a sword whose qi had coalesced into the form of an old man, who gazed at Ji Ning with curiosity.

“This is…” Ji Ning reached out and grasped the Immortal-ranked sword, briefly sensing its power.

Having witnessed treasures such as the Green Strand Divine Flame Lamp and the Thousand Bull Sword, Ji Ning judged that this sword’s fluctuations matched those of the Green Strand Divine Flame Lamp.

“It should be low-grade Immortal-ranked,” Ji Ning mused. “But it’s a flying sword specialized for offense. Considering I’m a Sword Immortal, the Grand Xia Emperor gave me a flying sword on purpose. It’s probably worth three to five million jin of Primordial Liquid.”

A low-grade Immortal-ranked treasure as a prize was within expectations.

After all, the top twelve would each be awarded ten million jin of Primordial Liquid.

For the top forty-eight, a low-grade Immortal-ranked treasure was reasonable.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Ji Ning and the other forty-seven knelt in unison, giving thanks again. Some of them could barely contain the joy on their faces.

Low-grade Immortal-ranked?

Not every Wanxiang Adept was as fortunate as Ji Ning! Many Loose Immortals didn’t even possess an Immortal-ranked treasure. To receive one was already extraordinary.

“Hua——” The Grand Xia Emperor nodded with a smile, and above Ji Ning and the others, multicolored rain began to fall. The droplets landed on them, restoring all the Primordial Ki and divine power they had expended, and healing any injuries. Though everyone had some medicinal pills, the Grand Xia Emperor’s personal act still stirred them all with a thrill of excitement.

“Rise. Return to rest and prepare for the next round of matches,” the Grand Xia Emperor said.

Ji Ning and his companions all filed back. Ji Ning and the Lata Daoist naturally returned to Prince Yan’s side.

Soon, the Grand Xia Emperor issued the order to begin the second round.

“Now begins the second round of contests,” the Grand Xia Emperor announced calmly. “First bout: Xiangtian Xiao of the Xiangtian clan against Zhuanshui Gan of the Zhuanshui clan.”

Xiangtian Xiao was the sole survivor of the Xiangtian clan at this Assembly. Zhuanshui Gan was likewise the lone remaining representative of the Zhuanshui clan.

Both ancient tribes prayed for their child to win.

But the battle lasted only a short time before the outcome was decided. Xiangtian Xiao defeated Zhuanshui Gan with a fairly clear advantage.

“This Xiangtian Xiao is quite impressive,” the Lata Daoist said, watching from outside the hall.

“Yes,” Ji Ning nodded. “He walks the Grand Dao of the Saber—a Dao comparable to the Dao of the Sword, even more brutal and domineering. Xiangtian Xiao has an innate boldness, and his saber techniques reflect his own character… He is indeed a formidable opponent.”

“A formidable opponent indeed,” the Lata Daoist agreed.

“Second bout: the loose cultivator Blackstone Recluse against the Eastern Sea’s Danzhu Daoist,” the Grand Xia Emperor announced.

Danzhu Daoist, who had a moonlike, ethereal grace, furrowed her brow at the announcement. Still, she walked out toward the sealing formation. Blackstone Recluse, as always, with his bare feet, shaved head, dark skin, and a crooked staff in hand, strolled out with a serene smile.

“The Grand Xia Emperor is matching Danzhu Daoist against Blackstone Recluse? Based on the first round, the Emperor usually pairs the strong with the weak to prevent early clashes between powerhouses,” Ji Ning said, shaking his head. “It seems that in the Emperor’s eyes, Danzhu Daoist is among the lower half of the forty-eight.”

“Right. Although Danzhu Daoist is well-known, she is not a Fiendgod Body Refiner,” the Lata Daoist added. “Ki Refining has a disadvantage compared to Fiendgod Body Refining, especially at this Assembly where everyone is an astonishing prodigy. The weakness of Ki Refining becomes even more apparent.”

Ji Ning nodded.

Indeed.

Even now, Fiendgod Body Refiners who survived tribulation and became Empyrean Gods were on par with Pure Yang True Immortals! One could see how immense the advantages of Fiendgod Body Refining became at later stages.

The battle between Blackstone Recluse and Danzhu Daoist was an extremely strange one.

Blackstone Recluse used only the Fuxi Staff Formation, completely suppressing Danzhu Daoist until she finally conceded. From start to finish, he never engaged in close combat.

“How terrifying Blackstone Recluse is.” Xiamang Zishan, Ji Ning, Jiusi Daoist, Cangwu Jiu, and all the other geniuses silently took note.

Match after match unfolded.

Some opponents made Ji Ning and his companions feel deep caution. A few who had previously been obscure—like Golden Crow Daoist, Guiyuan Daoist, and Qianyi Daoist—proved that at this stage, everyone who had fought into the top twenty-four was terrifying.

“Twenty-fourth bout: the loose cultivator Daonu Daoist against Blood Demon Daoist of the Demonshatter Sect.”

This was the last match of the second round.

Blood Demon Daoist had been a dazzling figure—his bloodthirsty, maddened style had already imprinted him firmly in the memory of all spectators.

But…

He lost terribly!

Two strikes! The first sent Blood Demon Daoist staggering back, still struggling to continue. The second strike cleaved his body in two! His severed halves immediately shouted, “I concede!”

“What!”

“How can this be?”

Ji Ning, the Lata Daoist, Xiamang Zishan, Blackstone Recluse, Jiusi Daoist, and all the others were shocked, their expressions turning grave.

A true powerhouse!

None of them dared to claim they could definitely defeat this mysterious “Daonu Daoist.”

Daonu Daoist was a black-robed man clutching a cleaving blade. He stood in silence, barely noticeable—until this fight against Blood Demon Daoist, when he had revealed his edge.

“This loose cultivator… he should be a disciple of a good friend of mine,” Lu Dongbin said, his eyes lighting up. “Before this, he kept a low profile, and I thought it was merely a coincidence of the same Daoist name. But those two strikes, combined with his status as a loose cultivator, leave no doubt. My friend once mentioned this disciple to me—he named himself ‘Daonu’ (Blade Servant), vowing to serve the Dao of the Saber, to merge all other Daos into it. He is willing to be a slave to the Saber Dao!”

“Oh? Interesting.” True Lord Chiji’s eyes glittered. “Donghua, who is this friend of yours?”

“Ah, what fine weather we have today,” Lu Dongbin suddenly said, lifting his head to gaze into the endless void above.

True Lord Chiji could only sigh helplessly.

The Grand Xia Emperor and the others all struggled to suppress their laughter. They understood that Lu Dongbin did not wish to reveal that friend’s identity—likely because the friend belonged to a camp hostile to the Daofather behind Lu Dongbin. Lu Dongbin’s circle of friends spanned the Three Realms; even enemies and demons dared to befriend him.

“There are quite a few loose cultivators this time,” the Grand Xia Emperor said. “Daonu Daoist is one of them. Some are genuine wanderers; others may have come from other worlds. Regardless of their origin, since they have joined the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, we must treat them fairly.”

“But Daonu’s sudden outburst of strength has given me a headache.” The Grand Xia Emperor shook his head. “I had a prior understanding of everyone’s strength and had already planned the pairings for the third round. But Daonu’s power in this last match of the second round leaves me uncertain how to arrange things.”

“I have a suggestion,” Lu Dongbin suddenly said.

“Oh?” The others looked over.

“Daonu should be the strongest among the remaining twenty-four in the Dao of the Saber,” Lu Dongbin said with emotion. “And the Dao-companion of that girl I like, Ji Ning, is the strongest in the Dao of the Sword. One is a Sword Immortal, the other a Saber Maniac. Let them fight—it would be a spectacular match.”

The Grand Xia Emperor laughed. “These twenty-four are all extraordinary. Pairing Daonu Daoist with anyone would give me a headache. Since you’ve raised it, Lu Dongbin… then let Ji Ning and Daonu face each other.”